Singapore, Sunday morning, March 27/98, 9:55, your time 3 a.m.
Very lovely morning. I arose at 6, had bath & cup of tea, dressed, & then took a rickshaw around & saw much that was to be seen. Chiefly Chinese here, same as Penang. I did not mention that the island of Penang is rich in vegetation also but bears no comparison to Singapore.
Tell Charlie the diving boys[1] are alongside the ship, jabbering “I dive Sir” & I’ve thrown lots of the coins over that I fetched away, & they were very active & never loose [sic] a coin. Sometimes 6 + 7 are after 1 coin. They always shew it when they appear at the surface & it’s a treat to see them get into the little bits of cockel [sic] shell canoes. Then very little boys 3 & 4 years old are in training & they do it quite as smartly as their elders.
I’ve had a very comfortable night. The coolies are working hard now at cargo. All goes on in the East the 7 days[2] through, except Europeans, who observe the Sunday. I hope to get this off from here before sailing. I called at the P. office when out but too late. It had been open 1 hour early on, however the agent may take letters ashore before leaving. The doctor & I are now [3:13] going to Dr. Leask’s. He is the resident doctor at the European hospital here. It is beginning to feel hot. I am thankful to say I stand the heat well. Many are much inconvenienced but I wisely take all leisurely & philosophically, & beyond the discomfiture of perspiration I enjoy it. The habits here seem Chinafied. These are in evidence everywhere & some strapping fellows there are to be seen. The rickshaw men or boys are strong & well developed, but their legs & calves exhibit the result of strain, & the veins & sinies [sic] protrude. It must be hard work & they are everywhere you go & tout for fares. I will leave off here.
2:30 p.m. Sunday. We’ve just returned from the hospital. We had 12 o’clock breakfast & spent a very pleasant few hours. I photo’d a group: Dr. & Mrs. Leask, baby, our doctor, a young lady friend of Mrs. Leask’s & a niece (child) of latter under a tree in their compound. Then the 2 little ones, then Dr. Leask’s baby boy. I hope these come out well. Before I went, I photo’d the diving boys & a small group on deck. The diving boys are still here & more of them, & what a noise they are making, “di: di: di:, try one more cent, fire away” & so on. [3:14] You will see how near the Equator we are, only 1-17 north of it, & it is hot now. There’s a rush of the boys into the water. The ports are open there again & I hear them as tho’ I was looking on. They just live in the water. There again 20 voices, “fire away sir”, “fire away”. It’s really great fun. I hear there’s to be a great demonstration this evening at 5:15 when the Governor leaves for home, salutes &c. &c. Dr. Leask told us so, & all the leading folks are expected to be at the jetty. We leave at 5 & passes where he starts from so I will describe it. Maybe not in this as I shall try & send this off with the agent as we leave the jetty, & you will get it a week earlier than if at Hong Kong. I hear the plague has broken out at Hong Kong & we may not get ashore there, however I will not care as I can come back again & it may be over by then.
L. N. Long. E. Run
Our position last Wednesday was: 5.57 92.38 295 ½ miles
Thursday 5.45 97.6 267
Friday 5.16 100.6 31 ½
this from leaving Penang till noon
Saturday was 1.38 102.51 299
Leaving 6.5 miles to Singapore. I must leave off. It is so hot & I must cool down. The sweat is dropping from my wrists and face.
[3:15]
[1] Inserted on facing page: “Diving boys”.
[2] Inserted on facing page: “7 days”
Really enjoying the journal of the wandering grocer. what has happened to them has the ship sunk!!!